Snap-attachable key register



July 24, 1951 L. OBERFIELD 2,561,944

SNAP-ATTACEAEEE KEY REGISTER Filed June 10, 1948 Patented `Iuly 24, 1951 UNITED STAT ESF; NT" OF FICE SNAP'A-TTAGHABLE KEY`REGISTEB Louis Obetfield, BrooklynN. Y. Application Jilnel-; 1948;,S`eri3l No; 32,110."

This inventienrelates toy new andiuseful"I imak eral' use'forf registering by' means of letterson the attachment-the positionof the loolt'Y of` the'y lociwhen the key. was: last removed" fromtheP cylinder of the lock in a manner to serve asv` ay check' 'as5 to'wl'i'e=ther ornot the door locl'ais 'open Still further.; the presenty inventionproposes the construction ofa casing! positioned adjacent'.

, the; si'devofi th'eihandleof the keyf witln anzopen.

end directed toward. the shank: of: the-.- keyza-nd from* which; at. spring.; pressed; rocken memben. proj entsftosbef leanedI in one' directiontoi: theiotiier.' asithe. kfey. is..turnediin;one direction. on the other: initheflockzand' serve to' register; the' position. oft

theebolt of. the lucio when; the keyI4 Wasilasti-rezA moi/edi from. the: cylinder.

Y. ,Still another object'of. the present.A invention.- istY the-.provisionof ainovelmeansf fork reinova'blysup;-- porting.; the;v casing upony the handle.` ofi. thefakey sotythatr thefsamef may# be` removed: from the'fkeygf.

when! desired..

, Asfurlthen object.. ofthe-present:invent-ion. isthe lprovision or a4 meansfon locking the s-pring pressed rocken Inernloer` in either. of-.its\two turned.- positions-inamanner so as topreventf accidental; turningtliereofwhile the key isbeing carried inj oness pooketor. pocketbook.

lItiisa.:further objeotofl the present.invention tdcnnstruct asnap attachablefkeyregister which.l is;l si'rnple, and, duralivle, which. can. be-manufac..- tured'. anoL` sold. atfa. reasonable cost and! which. may be. quickly. and?, easily mounted., uponr and removed from a. cylindn-type, keyr without;y the. use kof`tools.A

For further comprehension of ther invention.,` and of; ti'ie.v objects and'A advantages. thereof. refry erence Willi. be had" to' the following; description.

andaccompanying drawings', and to. the append? E ed'ciaims in which thev various. novel features.'`

of"v the invention are moreparticularly' set fortii. In tl'ie accompanying drawings forming a. ma: ter-iai 10a-rtK of this disclosure z" type` key pro'vided with a snap attach-able key" register 'constructedin accordanc'ewith" tlielpresent,l invention:

Figa@ arreareievationafviewfofi'ig 12 50'5 Fig: 1 isa; side elevational-view of 'a cylin'der- Fig`- 32 is al top' plan'l view of Fi'g. l.

Fig. 4 is-iaviewfsimilar to'Fig. 3. but illustrating;v a` different positionof the parts;

Fig'. 5 is a side elevational View of the'- keyregister, per se.

Figi Gisan'endeievationa-lview of Fig. 5 looking; from the;- left-hand` end"- Figi 7"is'a-horizontal sectional view taken onv theLlineiT--lof Fig; 5E

Fi'gf S'is afi-vertical sectional View taken on thelinevofiFig; 5."

Fig; 9 is a perspective-view off tnespringpressedv rocker memlier, per se:v

Fig. 1'0 is-y air elevational View of the' blank, pery se, from which the casingof7 the keyregister is formedz-f- Fig. 1-1 isla' side elevational viewsimilar'to Fig; l, but' illustrating the key-inserted into the=cylinder of'a lock and with the keyregister inr longi tudinal vertical section. i

Figa 12isf-aside elevational view-similar tov Fig. 1', butlillilstrating'a' modi'cationfof the-invention'.

Fig: liis'a plan viewof the-snap attacha'lcley keyf register' off theA form2 of thev inventionA shown. in=-Figi l'l2} loutl shown' removed' from thekey:

Tlie'sn'ap atta'cfialolef key register, in accord-4 ance 'With-.the Vform of "theinvention' ill1.1si',ratedVA in" ligspl'ft'o`L 1l` 'off the* drawing, is adapted to` be used incomoina-t'ion'witiia cylinder lockftype'key 05' having` the* usual handleA 2l andV shank 22.

The" handle 2li of; the'key' ofthis' iii'stform` of the invention is club-shaped and;v formed with the fusuary keyy ringf hole 23.

The/keyregisterincluds a= casing 2'4 positionedi adjacent: one7 side' off theL handle 21 of?" the' key iiiia-ndl tlieV` casing is' for-medlfrom' a: singleT blank of material; which isl shown' in elevation in Fig. 1702 The casing 24T includes a" side wall 25 which extends along tle side'of the handlev illA and: which; turn continues into a bottom Wall 26: The bottomwail 26 continues into an upwardly extending side wall 27 which in turn continues into' an inwardly dire'ctedftop Wallv 28 which has itsf'free inn'eredge abutting the' free`-top` edge. of 1 the=sid`e Wall'- 2151 Means isv provided" for releasablyretaining the casing1v 22! inc position upon-- tl'ie adjacent sideof the liandlez I off'th'e key-'201 7 This relearsableretaining means comprises an extension 2`9', und1`erl spring tension, from the rear' end oiith'et outery side Walli 2Tv which is bent; to extend` about' the. bottom edge offthelian'dleZl andtoextendlalongi theopposite side ofthe handle-2i ofitliekey Z0` from Atl'iesi'de alongY which the' casing' 24". extends.

Treexltension' 29 terminates in' a lug 3l) which" engages the bottom inside edge of the key ring hole 23. The resilient nature of the extension 29 permits it to be bent with relation to the casing 24 to iit key handles of diierent sizes. A snap strip 3l is integrally formed with the side wall 25 and is also bent to extend along the opposite side of the handle 2l of the key 23 from the side along which the casing 24 extends. The strip 3l has a portion which engages the bottom edge niche of the handle and the free end of the strip 3l terminates in a lug 32, see Fig. 6, which engages the top edge niche of the key handle 2|, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4. The free end of the strip 3l can be bent to adjust the same to keys of different Widths. To remove the key register from the key 2U, the snap strip 3| is flexed to disengage its lug 32 from the side of the handle 2l and then the key register is rotated in a direction away from the handle 2l until the extension 29 moves clear of the side of the handle 2l and then the lug 3B is disengaged from the key ring hole 23, completing the disengagement of the key register from `the key 23. To remount the key indicator in position upon the key 23, the above procedure is reversed.

When the key register is removed from the handle 2l of the key 20, the snap strip 3l extends upwards .at a slight angle, see Fig. 6, to be again extended parallel to the side of the handle, when the key register is reengaged upon the handle 2l. The unstressed angular disposition of the snap strip 3l provides required resiliency for maintaining the snap strip in a position in which its lug 32 will retain engagement with the top edge niche of the key handle 2 l.

A rocker member 33 is mounted within the casing 24 and has a curved face 34 extended from the open end of the casing 24 located adjacent the shank 22 of the key 2G. The top of the rocker member 33 is formed with a shoulder 35 and the top wall 28 of the casing is formed with a small downwardly extending stop member 36 which engages the shoulder 35 for retaining the rocker member 33 against disengagement from the casing 24. The rear end of the rocker member 33 continues into a flat flange 3'! which continues into a small headed projection 38. pansion spring 39 has its endmost convolution engaged loosely about the headed projection 33 behind its head. As shown in Fig. 10, the rear ends of all of the Walls of the casing 24 are rounded, and these rounded rear ends are all bent inwards closing the rear end of the casing 24 and providing a socket 40, see Figs. '7 and 1l, in which the rear end of the spring 39 is received.

The rear end of the side wall 25 is formed with a small lug 233 formed with a pressed in nipple 2,5, see Figs. 5, '7 and l0, against which the rear end of the expansion spring 39 is adapted to seat to assist in retaining the rear end of the spring 39 in a central position, and for cradling the rear end thereof.

, Opposite sides of the curved face 34 of the rocker member 33 are marked with the letters O and L to be exposed at the sides of the rocker member 33 in either of its two positions to indicatek whether the lock was left open or closed; .As in my previous patent referred to above, the letter O stands for open and the letter L for locked A triangular projection 4I extends from the shoulder 35 at the top of the curved face 34 of the rocker member 33 and is arranged to be located on'either side of the stop member 36 for y holding the rocker member 33 with its curved An ex-` face 34 directed away from the side of the key 26, as shown in Fig. 3, to expose the letter L on the opposite side face, see Fig. 2, to indicate that the bolt of the lock was in extended or locking position when the key was last removed from the cylinder of the lock. When the triangular projection 4l is located on the other side of the stop member 33, the curved face 34 of the indicator member 33 is directed toward the side of the key 2D, as shown in Fig. 4, to expose the letter O on the opposite side ace, see Fig. 1, to indicate that the bolt of the lock was in a ren tracted or open position when the key was last removed irom the cylinder of the lock.

The side walls 23 and 2l' of the casing 24 adjacent the flange 3l of the rocker member 33 are formed with inwardly directed nibs 42 and 43. When the rocker member 33 is in the position indicating that the bolt of the lock is in its extended or locking position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, the spring 39 will retain the rocker member 33 in a position in which the nib 42 will be lock is retracted or in-open position, as shown,

in Fig. 4, the spring 33 will then retain the rocker member 33 in a position against the other side wall 28, with the junction of the flange 31 with the rocker member 33 engaging the nib 43 of that side Wall.

The space between the inner ends of the nibs 42 and 43 is substantially equal to the Width of the body portion of the rocker member 33. Thus, when the key 20 is inserted into the cylinder of the lock the curved face 34 of the rocker member 33 will bear against the face of the cylinder as the key approaches its fully-in position so that further movement of the key into the cylinder,

to the fully-in position shown in Fig. 11, Willv ride off the nib 42 or 43 with which it was engaged and assume a neutral position between the nibs 42 and 43. Simultaneously, vthe triangular projection 4I will move inwards until its front end is clear of the inner side of the stop member 36. With the rocker member in that neutral position, the key is then turned in one direction or the other to open or close the lock. Let us assume that the lock is being closed. As turning of the key in the cylinder starts, it will cause the curved end of the rocker member 33 to be rocked past a dead center in toggle-fashion to bedirected away from the side of the key, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, about the rear end Aof the rocker member located between the nibs 42 and 43. vAS turning of the key is continued, the extended end 0f the rocker member will idly slide over the face of the cylinder. When rotation of the key in the cylinder is completed, the key is Withdrawn from the cylinder. Immediately, the spring 39 will. urge the rocker member 33 forward, engaging the junction of the flange 31 with therear end of the rocker member 33 over the -nib 42, as shown in Fig. 7. Simultaneously, the

triangular projection 4l will be engaged tothe right of the stop member 36, as shown in Fig. 6, locking the rocker member 33 in a position in which the curved face 34 of the rocker member 33 will be directed away from the side of the key end extendedfrom, the open end of said casing to engageagainst the front faceiof a lockinto the cylinderofwhich the shankis inserted and cause the rocker member to be retracted into said casing when the shank is completely inserted into the;cylinder, said rocker member having a.

shoulder, a stopmember extending from said casingg and engaging said shoulder holding said rockermember against complete disengagement from said casing, and a projection from said shoulder engageable oneither side of said stop member-,for holding said rocker member in a rockedposition with its extended end directed toward,r or away from the `shank to indicate whether the lock was open or closed when the key was lastrremoved from the cylinder, whereby When, the shank is inserted into the cylinder of the lock .the extended end of said rocker member will; engage'the face of the lock retracting said rocker member into said casing loading the spring ofsaidrocker member and withdrawing said projection into said casing clear of said stop member freeing said rocker member to be rocked while' in` that retracted position in one direction or the other ,by reason of its engagement withthe lock and the tension .on the spring as rotation of the key in one direction or thel other-is started, said mounting means comprising an extension from the rear end of said casing bent to extend about the bottom edge of the handle of the key and also having a lug engaging the bottom inside edge of the key ring hole of the handle, and a strip extending from the side of said casing and projected along the side of the handle opposite the side on which the casing is located and terminating in a lug engaging a top edge niche of the key, said strip having a portion engaging the bottom edge niche of the key.

. 4. In combination with a cylinder lock type key having a handle and shank for insertion in the cylinder of a lock, a key register, comprising a casing having an open end and positioned adjacentone side of the handle with its open end directed toward the shank, means releasably mounting said casing in position on the side of the handle, a spring pressed rocker member rockably mounted within said casing and having one end extended from the open end of said casing to engage againstthe front face of a lock into the cylinder of which the shank is inserted and cause the rocker member to be retracted into said casing when the shank is completely inserted into the cylinder, said rocker member having a shouder, a stop member extending from said casing and engaging said shoulder holding said rocker member against complete disengagement from said casing, and a projection from said shoulder engageable on either side of said stop member for holding said rocker member in a rocked position with'its extended end directed toward or away from the shank to indicate Whether the lock was open or closed when the key was last removed from the cylinder; whereby when the shank is inserted into the cylinder of the lock the extended end of said rocker member will engage the face of the lock retracting said rocker member into said casing loading the spring of said rocker memberand withdrawing said projection into said casingclear of said stop member freeing said rocker member to be rocked while in that retracted position in one direction or the other by reason of its enga-gement with the lock and the tension on the spring as rotation of the key in one direction or the other is started, said rocker member being Il (l formed at its inner end with a vertical rear iiange continuing intermediate of its height into a headed projection, said rocker member being spring pressed by an expansion spring having one convolution at one end thereof engaged vabout said headed projection.

5. In combinationwith a cylinder lock type key having a handle and a shank for insertion in the cylinder of a lock, a key register, comprising a casing having an open end and positioned adjacent one side of the handle with its open end.

serted into the cylinder, said rocker member havv ing a shoulder, a stop member extending lfrom said casing and engaging said shoulder holding said rocker member against complete disengagement from said casing, and a ,projection from said shoulder engageable on either side of said,

stop member for holding said rocker member in a rocked position with its extended end directed toward or away from the shank to indicate whether the lock was open or closed when the'v key was last removed from the cylinder, whereby when the shank is inserted into the cylinder of the lock the extended end of saidrocker `member will engage the face of the lock retracting l said rocker member into said casing loading the spring 'of said rocker member and withdrawing said projection into said casing clear of said ,stop member freeing said rocker member to be rocked while in that retracted position in one direction or the other by reason of its engagement lwith the lock and the tension on the spring as rotation of the key in one direction or the other is started, said rocker member being formed at its inner end with a vertical rear flange continuing intermediate of its height into a headed projection, said rocker member being spring pressed by an expansion spring having one convolution at one end thereof engaged about said headed' projection, said casing having the rearendsl of said wall converged toward each other forming a socket in which the rear end of said expansion spring engages.

6. In combination with a cylinder lock type key having a handle and a shank for insertion in the cylinder of a lock, a key register, comprising a casing having an open end and positioned adjacent one side of the handle with itsy open y end directed toward the shank, means releasably mounting said casing in position on the side oi the handle, a spring pressed rocker member rockably mounted within said casing and having o-ne end extended from the open end of said casingl to engage against the front face of a lock into Athe cylinder of which the shank is inserted and cause the rocker member to be retracted into said casing when the shank is completelyv inserted into the cylinder, said rocker member havv ing a shoulder, a stop member extending from said casing and engaging said shoulderholding :said rocker member against complete disengagei ment from said casing, and a projection from 1 said shoulder engageable on either Side of said stop member for holding said rocker member in a rocked position with its extended end di' rectedtoward or away from the shank to indiysaid rocker member to be rocked While in that retracted position in one direction or the other Y by reason of its engagement with the lock and the tension on the spring as rotation of the key in one direction or the other is started, inwardly` directed nibs formed on` the side walls of said casing and said nibs being selectively engaged by the adjacent rear corners of said rocker member `depending on the side of said stop member on which said projection is located, said rear corners .of` said rocker member beingformed with round- -ed cam surfaces to have a camming action on said nibs and slide past said nibs when said rocker member is pressed into said casing, said nibs comprising opposed inwardly pressed portions lthe handle, a spring pressed rocker member rockably mounted within said casing and having .one end extended from the open end of said casing to engage against the front face of `a lock into the cylinder of which the shank is inserted and cause ythe rocker member to be retracted into .said casing when the shank is completely inserted into the cylinder, said rocker member having a shoulder, a stop member extending from said casing and engaging said shoulder holding said rocker member against complete disengagement from said casing, and a projection from said ,'15 yon the Walls of said casing to engage and guide shoulder engageable on either side of said stop :member for holding said rocker member in a rocked position With its extended end directed toward oraway from the shank to indicate Whether the lool:v Was open or closed when the key was last removed from the cylinder, whereby When the shank is inserted into the cylinder of the lock the extended end of said rocker member will engage the face of the lock retracting said rocker member into said casing loading the spring of said rocker member and withdrawing said projection into said casing clear of said stop member freeing said rocker member to be rocked While in that retracted position in one direction or the other by reason of its engagement with the lock and the tension on the spring as rotation of the key in one direction or the other is started, said projection being triangular in horizontal cross section.

f LOUIS OBERFIELD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent: 

